[Sponsored] Chapter 38: Frustrated Kong

[This chapter is proudly sponsored by "pukeofhurl." Please join me in expressing your thanks in the comments! If you're interested in sponsoring a chapter, consider joining the Patreon.]

"Clang… Clang…"

"Sizzle… Crackle…"

Above the undulating sea, blazing flames and flickering lightning illuminated the sky, accompanied by the howling wind tearing through the air.

High above, El, moving as swiftly as lightning, continuously clashed with Steelbone Kong.

Each time Steelbone Kong seemed poised to gain the upper hand, preparing to counterattack and seize the initiative, El, relying on his innate, heightened Observation Haki, precisely predicted his opponent's moves. He would then flap his four wings, retreating at lightning speed—enhanced by his Devil Fruit powers—and swiftly widen the distance between them.

"Sizzle, crackle…"

"Whoosh… Whoosh…"

In the blink of an eye, flames erupted across the sky, or a barrage of wind blades relentlessly poured down.

Despite his immense confidence in his strength, Steelbone Kong found himself forced to abandon his attacks to block El's relentless assaults, growing increasingly frustrated.

"Is this guy truly immortal?" he wondered, a sense of unease creeping into his mind.

Several times, despite El's astonishingly fast reflexes, Steelbone Kong's formidable strength allowed him to exploit brief openings in El's defense. His fists, tougher than steel and imbued with powerful Armament Haki, struck down like a fierce storm.

Yet, remarkably, none of his attacks inflicted any real harm on El. It was unbelievable. By all logic, even the Lunarian tribe's defense should have its limits, but this little monster, not even ten years old, seemed to be an exception—he appeared almost invincible.

Moreover, El was far too elusive. Each time Steelbone Kong attempted a counterattack, El would instantly shift into an almost "invincible" defensive state. At times, his entire body would be engulfed in flames, further disrupting Steelbone Kong's judgment and making it impossible to determine if El had already entered his defensive mode. Sometimes, El even misled him, draining his stamina.

"It's useless. You can't hurt me at all," El remarked calmly, looking down at him.

Steelbone Kong had to admit, El, despite his youth, was undeniably powerful. Even with his own extensive combat experience and advanced Observation Haki, which allowed him to anticipate attacks, El still managed to exploit occasional flaws. Anyone else would have been severely injured or killed long ago.

But El, born with monstrous strength, boasted an innate defense akin to a steel balloon, nearly impervious to weapons. His defensive prowess was further enhanced by his Mythical Zoan: Quetzalcoatl form, which granted him armor-like scales, and the Lunarian tribe's racial ability to ignore damage. These three factors combined to make El seemingly invincible—enough to make anyone tremble with fear. No matter how hard Steelbone Kong attacked, he couldn't truly threaten El.

Whenever El was sent flying by force strong enough to make even the toughest warriors on the sea blanch in fear, he quickly regained his balance, completely unharmed and ready to charge again.

El launched numerous counterattacks as well. His sword, wrapped in Haki, repeatedly slashed at Steelbone Kong, and when Steelbone Kong couldn't dodge in time, powerful wind blades struck him. Yet, El couldn't penetrate Steelbone Kong's indestructible defense.

Even when El extinguished the flames on his back, abandoning his "invincible" defense to unleash full-powered attacks capable of cutting through steel and tearing apart mountains, he only managed to leave shallow wounds on Steelbone Kong. These minor injuries were the result of Steelbone Kong recklessly charging forward, abandoning his defense in an attempt to seriously injure El.

Steelbone Kong's resilience, bolstered by his Mythical Zoan: King Kong Ape form, allowed him to recover rapidly. These minor wounds posed no real threat to him.

Even when El unleashed the devastating 'Elbaf Spear,' Steelbone Kong either dodged or blocked it.

"Fire Dragon's Roar!"

In an instant, blazing flames erupted.

A scorching heatwave swept through the air with terrifying intensity. A massive fire dragon, distorting the atmosphere, charged forward with unimaginable heat and destruction.

"King Kong Impact!!"

"Boom! Boom!"

Powerful Armament Haki exploded outward. Steelbone Kong's fist, crackling with lightning, crushed the air as it forcefully blocked the fire dragon. Feeling the intense heat pressing against him, he stared at El, who radiated an imposing aura of lightning and fire, and muttered uncertainly, "Have you already mastered the ability to foresee the future with your Observation Haki?"

It seemed unbelievable, but El had clearly anticipated his attacks, demonstrating an Observation Haki that surpassed his own. Otherwise, such precise predictions would have been impossible. For someone under ten years old to possess such advanced Observation Haki—what kind of monster was he?

"As expected of an admiral candidate… I really can't defeat you," El remarked.

With his aerial advantage, it was impossible for Steelbone Kong to injure him. But El's relatively undeveloped Armament Haki and his still-honing Devil Fruit powers made it equally difficult for him to pose a real threat to Steelbone Kong's indestructible body.

Despite his ability to manipulate powerful flames, and his Mythical Zoan form granting him even greater mastery over fire, the intense heat El released—capable of melting steel and even the ground—was still not enough to harm Steelbone Kong.

Steelbone Kong, experienced and cautious, either countered El's attacks head-on or dodged with superior speed.

The gap in their strength was clear. Neither could decisively defeat the other in a short period of time.

"You're indeed strong… but your subordinates may not be so lucky!"

In the next moment, El, moving at lightning speed, his entire body enveloped in flames, shot toward the battleship below.

"You dare—" Steelbone Kong roared in fury, realizing El's intentions.

He charged forward, trying to intercept El, but how could he catch up to someone who already had the speed advantage?

"What wouldn't I dare?" El smirked coldly as he easily dodged the incoming cannon fire. Transforming into a blazing sun, hotter than magma, he was radiant and untouchable.

"Boom… Boom…"

Steelbone Kong's eyes narrowed as he watched in disbelief. El pierced through the ship's hull, leaving a massive hole. The battleship quickly caught fire, the flames spreading uncontrollably.

"Kukulcan El!!!" Steelbone Kong roared, unleashing a barrage of slashes that tore through the air, but El dodged easily.

Repeating his strategy, El charged at another warship, setting it ablaze with brutal efficiency.

Unable to defeat Steelbone Kong directly, El mercilessly targeted his subordinates.

"Damned brat—"

Steelbone Kong stomped through the air, chasing after El.

But it was futile. One by one, the warships fell, consumed by flames.

Realizing that chasing El was pointless, Steelbone Kong made a decisive choice. He ceased his pursuit and stayed on one of the surviving ships. As El destroyed the remaining vessels, he only occasionally launched a 'Thunder Roar Cannon' in an attempt to deter him, but he firmly protected the ship beneath him.

"Steelbone Kong, huh? What a decisive and ruthless man…" El noted, seeing that Kong had stopped taking the bait.

With a final flap of his wings, El shot into the distance: "Next time we meet, you may already be a Navy Admiral."

"But be prepared… in your short and futile Navy career, you will face the enemy that brings you the greatest fear."

"Short and futile Navy career? What an arrogant brat!"

Steelbone Kong's eyelids twitched in anger at the provocation, but there was nothing he could do. He could only watch as El disappeared into the horizon.

Had he already mastered Conqueror's Haki infusion, he might have found a way to seriously injure the Fallen Angel El and prevent his escape.